There is a beautiful
story told about Rabbi Levi Yitzhak, an 18th century tzaddik who lived in the
Russian village of Berditchev.

It was the day before Passover and Rabbi Levi Yitzhak called his students together.
He instructed them as follows: "Go around to each Jewish home in Berditchev
and bring me all Turkish tobacco, Austrian silk and chametz (bread or crumbs)
that you can find."

"But rabbi," they protested. "Everyone knows that Russia is at
war with Turkey and Austria -- and possession of tobacco and silk is strictly
forbidden!"

Still, the rabbi insisted and the students went looking for tobacco, silk and
chametz. Later that evening, the students returned to Rabbi Levi Yitzhak, carrying various
containers of Turkish tobacco and rolls of Austrian silk. "But," they
reported, "we could find no chametz."

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak looked heavenward and said, "Almighty God! The Russian
Czar has his army stationed at the borders and in the towns -- a million armed
soldiers ready to arrest anyone who violates the decree of possessing this contraband.
While You, God, have nine holy words in the Torah stating to remove bread from
the house on Passover. How righteous are Your people Israel, who are faithfully
observe Your mitzvot!"

Think about it: Why would anyone spend hours and hours cleaning every nook and
cranny looking for chametz? Just because our ancestors did it is surely not
reason enough. (I can hear it now, "But Mom, just because Grandpa wouldn't
eat pickles or cheese on Thursdays, why shouldn't we?") Jews eat matzah
on Passover for one reason only: Because we possess a confidence and belief
in the truth of Torah.

Asks the Talmud: A Jew's Tefillin contains the verse of "Shema Yisrael,"
in which the Jew proclaims every day the Oneness of God. But what is written
(so to speak) in God's Tefillin?
Answers the Talmud: "Who is like Your people Israel, a unique nation in
the world" (2-Samuel 7:23). God treasures our loyalty and belief -- which
is most evident on Passover.